High School Boys' Basketball: Roncalli stops Groton, 43-34

January 26, 2008|By American News Sports Staff

GROTON - Aberdeen Roncalli did not have the same offensive output as the last time it played Groton. Instead it was the defense that lifted the Cavaliers to victory. The Roncalli boys' basketball team defeated its Northeast Conference foe Groton on Friday night, 43-34. The first time the two teams played the Cavaliers won 68-47 at Aberdeen, in what was a non-conference game. “(Groton) did not do anything different,” Roncalli coach Todd Neuendorf said. “They did exactly what we knew they would do. We got the looks we wanted, they just were not going in.” They forced the Tigers into 17 turnovers as Roncalli had only eight in the contest. “Our defensive caused problems for them all night,” Neuendorf said. “They had kids who struggled getting the ball up the court. We really got after them.” Neuendorf added the Cavaliers continued their tough defense in the second half. “We worked them and they did not want to handle it in the second half,” Neuendorf said. “That is what pushed us up front. We got some steals and kind of ballooned the (lead) up to 10-or-13.” Neuendorf felt another reason for the low-scoring output was because the game was on the road. “At our place they we were going in,” Neuendorf said. “That is just part of being on the road and you got to battle through that.” Spencer Christensen was the only Roncalli player to score in double figures with 10. But Neuendorf said it was another balanced scoring night from his team. “They all stepped up,” he said. “There was not one man that did it. They all stepped up and got after it defensively and that is what got us the win tonight.” Jordan Holler led the Tigers with nine points. Groton (3-9) will host Tiospa Zina next Tuesday. Aberdeen Roncalli (12-1) will play at NEC foe Redfield on Friday Feb. 1. “Redfield is coached very well,” Neuendorf said. “Coach (Lonni) Stover is a good coach and he will have his guys ready to go and they are always well prepared.” ABERDEEN RONCALLI: Michael Gjernes 2 2-2 7, Spencer Christensen 5 0-0 10, Logan Wherry 2 0-0 4, Max Pfeiffer 1 3-4 6, Justin Kline 3 2-2 8, Sam Heintzman 2 4-4 8. Totals 15 11-12 43. GROTON: Gabe Kjellsen 2 2-2 6, Matt Wattier 2 1-2 5, Ryan Koehler 1 0-0 3, Jordan Holler 4 0-1 9, Scott Vedvei 3 0-0 6, Heath Giedt 2 1-3 5. Totals 14 4-8 34. Aberdeen Roncalli (12-1) 11 17 30 43 Groton (3-10) 6 11 24 34 3-point field goals - Gjernes, Pfeiffer, Koehler, Holler. Total fouls - Aberdeen Roncalli 11; Groton 15. Rebounds - Aberdeen Roncalli 21 (Kline 5); Groton 19 (Holler 5). Turnovers - Aberdeen Roncalli 8; Groton 17. B Game - Aberdeen Roncalli 38-23.